Matthew Wright's departure from Channel 5's weekday current affairs programme The Wright Stuff after almost 18 years came as tensions with show bosses reached 'boiling point' over a transgender issue.

The journalist, 52, has presented the flagship morning show since it began on September 11, 2000, but is said to be leaving amid 'a bitter row' with new production team, ITN Productions.

The TV host refused to publicly apologise for a remark made by a celebrity guest about a transgender campaigner being born a boy. He was warned that unless he broadcast an apology on the next day's show, he would not be allowed on air.

New chapter: Matthew Wright has announced his departure from Channel 5's weekday current affairs programme The Wright Stuff after almost 18 years

A source close to the presenter told MailOnline: 'Matthew had enough... he wanted out.

'When he refused to back down and issue an apology, the show bosses tried to force him to take a week off to reconsider. He told them he wasn't going to do that and tensions reached boiling point.'

ITN took over from Princess Productions in January, with the latter previously producing the show for nine years.

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Sources have told MailOnline Matthew found his relationship with the new production team 'challenging'.

Insiders suggest Matthew experienced 'creative differences' with the team and felt he 'did not not have as much input' under the new production company, who had its own way of doing things.

The TV presenter is now said to be in discussions with numerous other broadcasters, and will make his first appearance since departing the show on BBC One's Question Time.

Moving on: The journalist turned TV host, 52, has presented the flagship morning show since it began on September 11, 2000, but is looking forward to a lie in

Despite The Wright Stuff still 'flying high in the ratings', Wright announced his departure on Tuesday morning, saying it's time to branch out into 'new projects'.

In a statement released to MailOnline, he said: 'After almost 18 glorious years on Channel 5 and with the show flying high in the ratings, I feel it's time to depart and try my hand at something new.'

Ben Frow, Channel 5's Director of Programmes, added: 'We would like to thank Matthew for his passion, hard work and enthusiasm over the last 18 years and for making the show what it is today.

'He will be sorely missed and we wish him all the very best for the future.'

Taking to Twitter after the news broke, Matthew wrote: '18.5 years of 4am starts and 8pm bed times. Can’t wait to rejoin the human race...'

The star also poked fun at Victoria Derbyshire, who hosts her eponymous current affairs programme at the same time, posting: 'I bet Victoria Derbyshire will be thrilled x'.

On the move: Matthew said 'After almost 18 glorious years on Channel 5 and with the show flying high in the ratings, I feel it's time to depart and try my hand at something new'

The announcement comes after the Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Matthew was locked in a bitter row with TV bosses over refusing to publicly apologise for a remark made by a celebrity guest about a transgender campaigner being born a boy.

Matthew was warned that unless he broadcast an apology on the next day's show, he would not be allowed on air.

A friend of the star's told The Daily Mail last month: 'Matthew was steaming and told them, "Fine, I won't do the show then. I don't see why I have to apologise for one of my guests stating a medical fact. It's the truth."'

Branding his one-day absence from the Channel 5 morning show last Friday as "Orwellian," insiders said Wright also accused programme chiefs of lying about his sudden disappearance from the screen - after viewers were told he was "off sick."

Back to reality: Taking to Twitter after the news broke, Matthew wrote that he was looking forward to having later bed times and some lie ins

Teehee: The star also poked fun at Victoria Derbyshire, who hosts her eponymous current affairs programme at the same time, writing: 'I bet Victoria Derbyshire will be thrilled x'

The clash erupted following a lively debate about the gender pay gap involving two of his guests, transgender rights activist Paris Lees and Anne Hegerty, the quiz personality on The Chase.

When Anne, 59, queried whether the pay gap between men and women was actually a reality, 29-year old Paris - who transitioned from a man to a woman - countered: 'So you don't think there's an old boy's club at the top then?'

Anne replied: 'Not really - well, you used to be a boy, you'd know that.'

Immediately after the show ended Matthew was summoned to a 'crisis' meeting with Channel 5 honchos, who were ' terrified 'by the spectre of a Twitter backlash from the trans community.

The former newspaper columnist was ordered to broadcast a pre-emptive apology on his next day's show - despite the fact there had not been one complaint.

'They were freaking out, terrified of getting flak from the trans lobby. It never happened,' confided a source.

Cute couple: Matthew met his second wife Amelia Gatte at a garden party held by Miriam Stoppard in 2007, with the couple tying the knot three years later in the Caribbean

Insiders on the show revealed Wright steadfastly refused to back down and issue a grovelling mea culpa.

'Matthew is absolutely furious,' confided a source. 'He felt it was time to draw a line in the sand, one he was not prepared to cross. It's a medical fact Paris Lees was born a boy, a fact she has always acknowledged.

'Matthew is a journalist, he believes in facts, in telling the truth. He said I am not apologising for someone telling the truth.

'Matthew stood his ground and said there was nothing to apologise for. Anne Hegerty had not been deliberately offensive and Paris herself said later she had not taken any offence.'

Furious: The announcement comes after The Daily Mail revealed Matthew was locked in a bitter row with TV bosses over refusing to publicly apologise for a remark made by a guest

The source added: 'Look, had Paris said she was upset, Matthew would have apologised to her off his own back. The LGBT community has no bigger friend than Matthew.

'What really upset him is that Channel 5 then blatantly lied about why he wasn't hosting the show that day, claiming he was feeling sick. Viewers and staff alike were not told the truth about his absence.

'But Channel 5, like the rest of TV, is in the grip of a kind of politically correct madness. Matthew feels he's been caught up in some Orwellian nightmare, where truth becomes twisted to suit a specific agenda.'

In a late night call, veteran presenter Anne Diamond was contacted and drafted in as a substitute. Later, the perfunctory apology was broadcast to the Wright Show's audience.

Clash: The clash erupted following a lively debate about the gender pay gap involving two of his guests, transgender rights activist Paris Lees (L) and Anne Hegerty, from The Chase

Whilst Matthew's show has been staple viewing for legions of loyal viewers, the series has not been without controversy in its 18 year run.

Earlier this year, the star spoke with MailOnline about his highs and lows on the show.

He admitted there have been a 'few blunders' along the way, one of which he will 'regret until the day he dies'.

He was widely criticised in late 2009 for naming fellow broadcaster John Leslie in relation to an alleged assault that Ulrika Johnsson wrote about in her autobiography, something which he was never charged with and strenuously denied.

'I am really not that evil,' he said, 'I consider John a friend I let him down and let myself down.'

Standing in: In a late night call, veteran presenter Anne Diamond was contacted and drafted in as a substitute. Later, the perfunctory apology was broadcast to the Wright Show's audience

The star also noted that a memorable moment was ad-libbing post-Brexit.

Mistakes aside Matthew said he's proud of what he's accomplished over the past 18 years, particularly 'winging it' for a three hour special post-Brexit vote.

'The one thing I can never forget because it was a nightmare and joyous was our Brexit show in June 2016,' he recalled.

Matthew explained how he and his team had spent the entire day before prepping a lengthy piece for a remain vote, including a segment on how the then Prime Minister David Cameron should resign.

'I woke up at 3am and saw that we were going out of Europe. Every one was in a real faff, and we had to rewrite it,' he recalled.

At first it seemed all wasn't lost because as least they had their segment on why the PM should leave his post to rely on.

But just moments before they were due to go one air, Cameron announced he was stepping down, leaving their work redundant.

'We winged it, the whole programme for start to finish. From being a nightmare at the start to the end. I am extremely proud of that show.'

Matthew also revealed how he was pranked by Richard Madeley who stood in for The Wright Stuff host during the Christmas holiday in 2016.

The veteran presenter swapped Matthew's prop vodka bottle that is normally filled with water for actual spirits.

'I didn't touch it for six months,' he recalled, 'I go down and pick it up and neck it. It was all for show, before I realised I had drank a third of vodka. I was quite sozzled.'

Another particular standout moment for the married host came when he challenged 'good sport' Tory MP Ed Vaizey to take 'herbal viagra' in 2008.

'I salute him because he didn't run away,' he said.

Cheeky: Matthew also revealed how he was pranked by Richard Madeley who stood in for The Wright Stuff host during the Christmas holiday in 2016

From the moment he realised he was 'sozzled' live on air after accidentally drinking half a bottle of vodka, to ad-libbing through a Brexit special show after the unexpected leave result, the veteran host said he'd rather be doing than entertaining his audience.

Matthew, who has grilled countless high profile guests since he began fronting the show in 2000, also revealed who had been the worst ever interviewee in it's 18 year run.

The star claimed former X Factor hopeful Frankie Cocozza stands out in his mind, for all the wrong reasons.

'He looked rough as, stank of booze, said he'd been up all night s****ing birds,' said Matthew of the singer's appearance on the show back in 2012.

'It was painful to watch. By the end of it he'd shut up. It was a horrible show,' he recalled.

Oh dear: Matthew, who has grilled countless high profile guests since he began fronting the show in 2000, also revealed former X Factor hopeful Frankie Cocozza was his worst guest

Matthew met his second wife Amelia Gatte at a garden party held by Miriam Stoppard in 2007, with the couple tying the knot three years later in the Caribbean.

In 2013, they couple revealed they were trying to conceive a baby with the help of in vitro fertilization but three of their IVF pregnancies so far had ended in a miscarriage.

Amelia is unable to conceive naturally following an ectopic pregnancy before they married that nearly killed her.

Matthew also famously appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2013, and was the fourth contestant to be eliminated.

One to watch: Matthew also famously appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2013, and was the fourth contestant to be eliminated